Which Ro/di System Is The Best For Nano Reef Tank?

HI there,

I trying to set up a 10 Gallon Nano reef tank and using a top water with Seachem Prime conditioner plus salt and it’s still in cycle stage.

But, after some research on internet and conversation with other aquarium enthusiasts, I start realizing that I need to buy some RO/DI units and some of them is really expensive though.

So my questions are:

1. What is the worstes scenario that I can get by using a Topwater and Seachem Prime Conditioner? ( eventually I’ll have to deal with Algae, Diatoms etc?)
2. What is the one of the reliable brands to buy RO/DI units and where is the better them buy from in Canada Toronto specifically?
3. I’ve found from 3 stages to 6 stages units. DOES IT MEANT THAT THE 3 stages units will perform worse and the water is not going to be that filtrised as from the 6 stages one?

Thanks.

 

stella1979 Culprit might have some insight

 

stella1979 Culprit might have some insight

Thanks for an advice, I’ll ask them.

 

HI there,

I trying to set up a 10 Gallon Nano reef tank and using a top water with Seachem Prime conditioner plus salt and it’s still in cycle stage.

But, after some research on internet and conversation with other aquarium enthusiasts, I start realizing that I need to buy some RO/DI units and some of them is really expensive though.

So my questions are:

1. What is the worstes scenario that I can get by using a Topwater and Seachem Prime Conditioner? ( eventually I’ll have to deal with Algae, Diatoms etc?)
2. What is the one of the reliable brands to buy RO/DI units and where is the better them buy from in Canada Toronto specifically?
3. I’ve found from 3 stages to 6 stages units. DOES IT MEANT THAT THE 3 stages units will perform worse and the water is not going to be that filtrised as from the 6 stages one?

Thanks.

I would not use tap water for a reef tank. Ever. You have no idea what's in your water, and your municipality can change the chlorine or whatever in a momemnt and boom you have a crashed tank. Yes its expensive but its needed.

Worst case scenario you use it and its fine and one day somehow a heavy metal like copper or something gets in and your tank completely crashes. Also your far more likely to have algae and diatoms.

Aquatic Life, Spectrapure, Marine Depot and Bulk Reef Supply are the best. I wouldn't get a 3 stage but four stage is just fine. Its what I use. The more stages the less waste water your going to have or if you have incredibly bad water you may need another stage but most people don't. Just make sure it has a sediment filter, a carbon block filter, an RO membrane, and DI resin.

 

Agreed with the above. It's not the greatest unit but unless you live in New York, LA, or one of the major cities loaded with TDS in it's water supply, it will work just fine and for the cost and ease of hookup this one from Aquatic Life should do the job:

 

For the Marine Depot ones with the TDS meter attatched, would the meter work or would an additional TDS meter be needed?

 

For the Marine Depot ones with the TDS meter attatched, would the meter work or would an additional TDS meter be needed?

It could work, although I'm not sure how accurate they are.

 

I would not use tap water for a reef tank. Ever. You have no idea what's in your water, and your municipality can change the chlorine or whatever in a momemnt and boom you have a crashed tank. Yes its expensive but its needed.

Worst case scenario you use it and its fine and one day somehow a heavy metal like copper or something gets in and your tank completely crashes. Also your far more likely to have algae and diatoms.

AquaticLife, Spectrapure, Marine Depot and Bulk Reef Supply are the best. I wouldn't get a 3 stage but four stage is just fine. Its what I use. The more stages the less waste water your going to have or if you have incredibly bad water you may need another stage but most people don't. Just make sure it has a sediment filter, a carbon block filter, an RO membrane, and DI resin.

Thanks a lot for your time and advice.
I’m already searching for good at least 4 stage RO /DI unit in Toronto Canada as I’m living here . But it’s not that easy to find a good a reliable unit here. On Amazon.ca not big choice though. But amazon.com and Ebay has a plenty of them. And when I check the price for instance the AquaFX Baracuda 4 stage unit it will cost me with all fees and import charge fees about 250$ and that is not 100% sure as the seller told me that the some extra import charges might be applied when the item will be delivered. And it’s only 4 stages I’m not saying about 6-stages one.

Here in Canada, we have a fish stores such as: PetSmart, Big AI’s, online fish depot. I already check the Big AI’s they have 3 stages one and it’s much expensieer then on amazon.
But the felow from the Big AI’s tore told me they can all the RO water for 3 dollars for 1 gallon of RO water.

What is going to happen as I’ve already started cycling a tank with topwater + Seachem Prime, does it going to impact on my cycle in some way if I start adding a RO water to the tank?

And could you tell me please should I do a water change “Again” during my 2 weeks and half cycle? I have attached a picture of my water parameters. I’m already did 3 times of water change dypuring the cycling as the ammonia was above 8ppm.

Thanks

 

Agreed with the above. It's not the greatest unit but unless you live in New York, LA, or one of the major cities loaded with TDS in it's water supply, it will work just fine and for the cost and ease of hookup this one from Aquatic Life should do the job:

Thanks I’ll check that one.

But if it’s not a secret what brand of RO/DI unit are u using?

Thanks

 

Sorry I've been a little absent lately!

$3 per gallon of RO water is sort of expensive compared to the price in my location. I'd say it's worth it though, at least in the short term. Perhaps get started by purchasing water, then after the initial start-up expenses are done, you could start saving for your own system. Also, I'm not entirely certain, but feel if you do enough water changes before stocking, using RODI water for replacement, then you may not have to worry about having used tap water so far.

I use an iSpring drinking water RODI system. It has a sediment filter, two carbon blocks, the RO membrane, and the DI canister. This is pretty standard, but the drinking water systems also come with a storage tank and another small carbon filter, allowing RO or RODI to be stored then filtered again (for taste after storage) before drinking.

Your nitrogen cycle parameters are not incredibly elevated as they were before, so at this point, I would not do a water change. Keep an eye and if things are not moving along, let us know.

 

Thanks I’ll check that one.

But if it’s not a secret what brand of RO/DI unit are u using?

Thanks

Actually, I don't. I have a reliable LFS less than a mile from my house that gives me RODI for free and pre-mix RODI/Salt for 75 cents a gallon. Many people don't have this option though.

 

Actually, I don't. I have a reliable LFS less than a mile from my house that gives me RODI for free and pre-mix RODI/Salt for 75 cents a gallon. Many people don't have this option though.

RODI for free and in a mile away than you consider yourself as the lucky one . That nice, really.

I just ordered one of the LiquaGen 5-stages RODI units from the Amazon - waiting till it's going to have arrived while my tank is cycling with tap water

 

Sorry I've been a little absent lately!

$3 per gallon of RO water is sort of expensive compared to the price in my location. I'd say it's worth it though, at least in the short term. Perhaps get started by purchasing water, then after the initial start-up expenses are done, you could start saving for your own system. Also, I'm not entirely certain, but feel if you do enough water changes before stocking, using RODI water for replacement, then you may not have to worry about having used tap water so far.

I use an iSpring drinking water RODI system. It has a sediment filter, two carbon blocks, the RO membrane, and the DI canister. This is pretty standard, but the drinking water systems also come with a storage tank and another small carbon filter, allowing RO or RODI to be stored then filtered again (for taste after storage) before drinking.

Your nitrogen cycle parameters are not incredibly elevated as they were before, so at this point, I would not do a water change. Keep an eye and if things are not moving along, let us know.

I have ordered a LiquaGen 5 Stages RODI system from amazon, so awaiting till it’s arrived.

Today is third week of cycling and the parameters like so:
Ammonia: 0 - 0,25 ppm.
Nitrite: 2 - 4 ppm.
Nitrate: 80 - 160 ppm.

Will be waiting till Nitrite and Nitrate is going to drop.
I think my cycle is going to take a longer than 6 weeks

Do you know, when I will setup my RODI unit and when the time comes to do a water change and add Cleanup crew to the tank that is fine if I mix the current cycling water in my tank with RO water? It should be no problem, right?

 

Once the cycle is complete, you will have to do very large water changes to rid the tank of extremely high nitrates. So yes, I believe by the time that is done, it will be just fine to add the clean up crew as well as a fish... As long as your first marine fish is a hardy one, (that is, nothing too sensitive.) Once you're stocked and doing regular water changes using RODI water, the tank will become mostly free of anything the tap water introduced, and you will be able to add corals. Just take things slow and be sure not to add any sensitive fish or corals early on.

 

Once the cycle is complete, you will have to do very large water changes to rid the tank of extremely high nitrates. So yes, I believe by the time that is done, it will be just fine to add the clean up crew as well as a fish... As long as your first marine fish is a hardy one, (that is, nothing too sensitive.) Once you're stocked and doing regular water changes using RODI water, the tank will become mostly free of anything the tap water introduced, and you will be able to add corals. Just take things slow and be sure not to add any sensitive fish or corals early on.

Got it!

Thanks again for your help and time.